Flexible structure



Dec. 9, 1930. F. DPPENscl-IMITT FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 31, 1928 lllr Patented Dec. 9, 1930 'rnrnnaronnrrnnscnmrn on PFORZHEIM, QERMANY FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE Application led January 31, 1928, SeniaLNo. 250,756, and vin Germany April 19, 1927.

The present invention has reference to improvements in liexible bands, especially for the purposes of personal adornment, such as Wrist watch straps, bracelets, anklets, and the like, and relates more particularly to a structure of this general character formed of -a longitudinal one-piece base member and a plurality of relatively narrow cross-members,

each one of which is endwise hooked over the base member, the individual cross members themselves not'beinginterconnected in any manner.

My invention will readily be understood from a detailed description in' connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of ,a portion of the .new band structure; Fig. 2 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the band, showing a modified construction; Fig. 4 is a cross-section therethrough on line 4--4 of Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale; Fig. 5 is a front view, and Fig. 5a an edge view of a cross member blank before edge-rounding; Fig. 6 shows the complete bracelet in open position, and Fig. 8 the same in closed position; Fig. 7 is an edge view of the keeper box of the bracelet, and Fig. 9 is a cross-section showing another slight modification.

The base member, which may bean elastic strip or band 1 of gold, silver, composition, or other sheet stock, or of metal mesh fabric 2, to Wit, milana'ise fabric, (Fig. 3) serves as support for the thin cross-members 3',

preferably also of `metal but not necessarily of elastic character, which are arranged on the supporting strip 1 in close contiguous relation to form a practically 'uninterrupted covering or armor therefor. The individual members 3 have turned-over or hooked clamping edges or tongues 4 and are arranged on" the band member 1 by simply being placed on the outer side of the band and then by v suitable mechanical means their ends are bent in hooked formation over the respective longitudinal edges of the band 1, as clearly shown in the drawing.

To strengthen the structure generally and enhance its elasticity, or afford a better purchase for the members 3 and a closer fit thereof, there may be interposed between the members 3 and the support band one or more stil'ening or filling members 5, of which only one is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which may be of spring steel, metal fabric, textile fabric, Celluloid, or the like, depending upon the efy fect desired.

after the limit of flexing movement has been reached.

The invention has the important advan tage that the individual members 3, which form the outer show surface of the structure, may be made of very thin sheet metal or other material, but, since they are backed by arelatively stiff, strong supporting member, they are not apt to become deformed or damaged in use. They may be superficially ornamented, for instance carved or jewelled in any desired manner, and they may be of any desired body-conformation, for instance embossed or buckled as shown by way of example at 7 in Fig. 9. The hooked or beaded top and bottom edges impart to the finished article a solid, rich appearance and add greatly to the wearing comfort.

For lockingly uniting the band ends, the inherent elasticity of the annularly bent structure is utilized, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. At the one end of the band there is provided a keeper `box 8 with the usual slot 9, and from the other band end extends the catch 10. For locking the bracelet, or the like, it is forcibly distorted out of its annularzL-.go

plane as shown in Fig. 6, is then closed with the catch 10 engaging in the slot 9, and is then let o, when the resiliency of the struc-4 ture wil cause the catch to :be securely retained in the keeper box (Fig. 8) against unintentional opening.

1. A'thin flexible structure of the character described comprising a flexible supporting band having opposite longitudinal edges,

and an armor covering the outer side of said supporting band and consisting of comparatively long and narrow individual thin metal cross members, each reduced in width at their ends with respect to the width of their body portions, and extending in the direction of Itheir length transversely of the outer face of the supporting band and having' their ends bent over into engagement with the longitudinal edges of sald supporting band and rebent backwardly toward the opposite side ofsaid b and with their transverse extremities impmging against said side of the l band.

2. In a flexible structure of the character set forth, in combination, a flexible supporting member, a plurality of relatively narrow cross members endwise hooked over said supporting member in close formation, and stffening means interposed between said supporting .member and said cross members.

3. In a flexible structure of the character set forth in combination, a flexible supportino' member, and locking means comprising a leeper box at one end of the supporting member having a keeper chamber between its longitudinal center and one longitudinal edge of said member open at its side toward the other longitudinal edge of said member and communicating at said side with an entrance and exit slot opening through the end of the supporting member between its longitudinal center and the latter-named longitudinal edge of the supporting member, and a catch at the other end of the supportin member having a laterally projecting hoo insertable into and removable from the keeper member through said slot and enfrageable with and disengageable from the lleeper chamber by relatively lateral movements of the ends of the supporting member out of the normal plane of thelatter.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

FRIEDRICH DPPENSCHMITT. 

